TroubleMake[r]
What's the worst that could happen?
I've learned many of my trades and crafts from my parents, engineering, architecture, photography, design, and then some - but the single most useful tool I got from them is gumption. I value failure as much as I do success, and by golly, I have a fair bit of the former under my belt. Mom and Dad didn't just teach me to get into trouble, they taught me how to make use of trouble. This page is dedicated to how I TroubleMake, and how you can too.
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To wit, while my education in engineering and design may allow me the know-how of adequate creations, they are not what lead me to create. Exploration, inventiveness, giggles, gumption, and an willingness to fail are the reasons I go into the shop and goof around.
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TroubleMake is a culmination of the trades, skills, techniques, and arts that I practice when I'm getting into trouble.
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Including, but not limited to:
Woodworking. Carpentry. Photography. Fabrication. Design. Sewing. Tool Restoration. Metalwork. Art. Bikes. Leatherwork.
Disclaim[r]
The bulk of my work starts with "huh, I wonder if I can do that", which leads to researching the types of tools & materials one might use, which in turn leads to purchasing those tools & materials, then I get started on learning how to use the aforementioned tools & materials safely and effectively. Even then, largely I don't do a good job on my first try, or second or third for that matter. This is to say that I fully endorse everyone reading this to absolutely do try this at home, just make sure to follow the process: Question, Research, Prepare, Make. Rinse and repeat.
All done?
Not by a longshot.
A word about finish work: some the work you'll see on here is for me, or my own home. Other work is meant to be a gift, or it's commissioned by people. There can sometimes be a vast difference between the level of detail in finishing work between my own projects vs those I am making for others. Take this as you will, but there is a philosophy to it.
I myself am an ongoing project, one that will never get a coat of sealant, thus I rarely put the "finishing touches" on work meant for my own collection. Everything is MK1 or MK2, etc. I never want those to be finished, because I never want to say I'm done thinking about how to better them. (Sometimes)
Work prepared for others reflects the dedication I have to expressing my respect for them, hence the finishing work is far more detailed and thorough. Does that make sense? Good.